Examining Reciprocal Associations Between Caregiver Romantic Satisfaction, Caregiver Depressive Symptoms and Late-childhood Externalizing Behavior

• In Event: Poster Session 13
  In Poster Session: PS 13 Topic - Family Context & Processes

Abstract

The quality of relationships within a family and parents’ well-being are considered to be two of the most influential factors in healthy child development (Bronfenbrenner, 1979; 1986). Previous research indicates that primary caregiver romantic satisfaction and depressive symptoms independently predict levels of child problem behavior (Fishman et al., 2000; Linville et al., 2010). Prior work also suggests that child problem behavior can negatively impact the quality of the co-parents’ relationship (Goldberg et al., 2014). Further, caregiver depressive symptoms have been linked to decreased romantic relationship satisfaction (Henderson et al., 2003). Indeed, many researchers have posited that there may be a complex, reciprocal relationship between caregiver romantic satisfaction and depressive symptoms and their children’s externalizing problem behavior (Cummings et al., 2005); yet this remains an understudied area of the literature. The objective of the current study was to prospectively investigate reciprocal relations among primary caregiver romantic relationship satisfaction, caregiver depressive symptoms and children’s externalizing problem behaviors during the school-age period using a large (N=397), longitudinal sample of low-income families from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds. Primary caregiver reports of their romantic relationship satisfaction and their depressive symptoms and teacher reports of child externalizing problem behaviors were measured at each wave of the study (e.g., child age 7.5, 8.5, 9.5, and 10.5). Using a cross-lagged panel design, structural equation modeling results demonstrate that primary caregiver depressive symptoms, primary caregiver romantic relationship satisfaction, and child externalizing problem behaviors are reciprocally related across late childhood. A clockwise paths model, counterclockwise paths model, completely free model, all paths equal model and the stability fit model were compared and the clockwise fit model was found to be the model that was most parsimonious and best fit the data. Specifically, in the clockwise paths model, higher levels of primary caregiver romantic satisfaction were associated with decreased levels of primary caregiver depressive symptoms, which, in turn, were associated with decreased levels of child externalizing behavior. Additionally, higher levels of externalizing child behaviors were related to lower levels of primary caregiver romantic satisfaction. The findings highlight many possible points for prevention and intervention to support caregiver mental health, romantic relationship satisfaction, and child behavior. Specifically, interventions designed to target caregiver depressive symptoms in the context of romantic partnerships may alleviate not only caregiver mental health concerns but may also mitigate child problem behaviors.

Authors

• Shannon Savell, University of Virginia - Charlottesville
  Presenting Author

• Melvin N Wilson, University of Virginia -Charlottesville
  Non-Presenting Author

• Kathryn Lemery-Chalfant, Arizona State University
  Non-Presenting Author

• Daniel S. Shaw, University of Pittsburgh
  Non-Presenting Author